Four arraigned for Farwell meth lab

By Pat Maurer
Correspondent

Four have been charged with operating a methamphetamine lab in a vacant unit of the Corning Apartments in Farwell.
The suspects include Crystal Burns, 18, of Farwell; David Wright, 48, of Farwell; Joshua Vandyke, 22, of Harrison; and Samantha Pitt, 25, of Farwell.

Burns Wright and Vandyke were all arraigned December 13 on the charges in 80th District Court by Magistrate Karen Willing. Pitt was arraigned December 16.

Investigating a tip of a possible home invasion in December 9, detectives from the Clare County Sheriff’s Department discovered not only a home invasion, but a Methamphetamine operation in the vacant apartment.

Three suspects were discovered in the Corning apartment in Farwell and when officers discovered the meth lab, members of the Bay Area Narcotics Team Meth Lab Response Team were called to the scene.

The four arrests stemmed from a joint investigation last week between Detectives from the Clare County Sheriff’s Department, the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (BAYANET), and the Michigan State Police Troopers from Mt. Pleasant.

BAYANET was called to clean up the scene and officers were assisted there by the Surrey Township Fire Department, Undersheriff Dwayne Miedzianowski said Monday.

At Monday’s arraignment Wright was charged with Conspiracy to Operate a Meth Lab, Home Invasion Second Degree, Possession of Meth and Habitual Offender 4th Offense. His bond was set at $500,000/ten percent. Wright is also being held on a Probation/Parole Violation.

Vandyke was charged Monday with Conspiracy to Operate a Meth Lab, Home Invasion Second Degree and Habitual Offender 4th Offense. His bond was set at $500,000/ten percent.

Burns was charged Monday with Conspiracy to Operate a Meth Lab, Home Invasion Second Degree and Possession of Meth. Her bond was set at $250,000/ten percent.

Pitt faces charges of Possession of Meth and Accessory After the Fact of a Felony. Her bond was set at $250,000/ten percent.
All four remain lodged at the Clare County Jail with Preliminary Exams set for December 23.